Skip to content

615-294-1886

d@clairemontcommunications.com

Clairemont Communications

Clairemont Communications

  • About Us
  • Awards
  • Blog
  • Our Work
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Awards
  • Blog
  • Our Work
  • Services
  • Contact Us

Tag: event marketing

The Future of Fashion: NYFW Goes Virtual

The Future of Fashion: NYFW Goes Virtual

February 9, 2021January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Fashion, Public Relationsevent marketing, event PR, fashion, fashion pr, Fashion Week, virtual events

New York Fashion Week (NYFW), held in February and September of each year, is a chance for designers to showcase their latest fall and spring collections to buyers, the press and the general public. With the world still navigating public safety during COVID-19, New York Fashion Week is staying virtual this year for its fall 2021 lineup.

This season, designers will showcase their collections in digital formats such as livestreams, look books and video presentations in lieu of traditional in-person exhibitions. The event launched on Valentine’s Day with Jason Wu’s livestreamed runway show, followed by virtual presentations and videos from Markarian. Markarian has come into the public eye after receiving the honor of dressing Dr. Jill Biden for the 2021 Presidential inauguration ceremony.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose to work with Alexandra O’Neill of New York-based label Markarian on a custom dress and coat in ocean blue with peacock-hued details and embellished with Swarovski pearls and crystals https://t.co/hCQDwTDRYt pic.twitter.com/WJrmBUxVh3

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 20, 2021
Tweet from Hollywood Reporter Twitter account.

While holding a largely virtual event is no doubt challenging, it has led to some very creative PR initiatives. This season explored the future of fashion and how the industry is continuing to adapt during COVID-19 — all the while maintaining a healthy dose of inspiration and hope.

Vogue Magazine relies heavily on the fashion industry and its fans to stay in business. To create buzz for this year’s festivities, the outlet challenged its social media followers to recreate their favorite couture and share it online.

Here are all of our favorite DIY entries in our #VogueCouchCouture challenge. https://t.co/pVX2lTN0MA

— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) February 2, 2021

International modeling agency, IMG Models, was also announced as the official editorial partner of #TikTokFashionMonth. TikTok featured live and pre-recorded content across IMG’s TikTok channels throughout the fall 2020 shows, and the TikTok community will continue to have access to IMG’s content for the spring 2021 shows taking place this month.

2021 Spring NYFW will extend beyond its typical 7-9 days to a month-long event. With many designers showing in late February and even a few waiting to reveal collections until April, this year’s “tailored” event is sure to bring joy to many as it rolls on throughout the spring season.

NYFW typically includes two types of shows: industry and open-to-the-public shows. Even in #BeforeTimes, it was typically difficult to snag an in-person seat; however, this year you can get a front-row view if you choose to join. Visit the official schedule to see what’s open to the public.

Curious about ways to amp up a virtual event to spark interest and engagement? Check out our blog on Effective Socially Distanced Events!

By Clairemont intern Maia Guterbock, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read More
Effective Socially Distanced Events

Effective Socially Distanced Events

October 30, 2020January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Marketing, Public Relationsevent marketing, events, socially distanced events, virtual events

When the pandemic first hit, trade shows, conferences and networking soirees were slashed and canceled. And then, like any marketers worth their salt, teams quickly reimagined experiences to proffer a plethora of socially distanced and virtual events.

Now in late 2020, we’ve moved past the stage of tech requirements and logistics into a world of cinematic engagement and meaningful connection. Since user experience (UX) takes precedence more than ever, use these strategies to ensure your virtual/socially distanced events are leaving an impact and inspiring action.

Shake up the format.

If hosting a virtual meeting, it’s easy to go with good ‘ol Zoom. Webinars provide a strong medium for information dissemination abetted by Powerpoint and graphics. However, while effective, webinars can be downright boring, so ensure you’re orchestrating multiple live touch points throughout the experience.

Create an interactive two-way environment (or four-way, nine-way, 453-way, whatever is needed). The Institute of Internal Auditors, for example, peppered its virtual symposium with points of interaction that simulated an in-person conference. In addition to an agenda of presentations and Q&As, attendees could purchase items from a virtual bookstore or watch video ads during scheduled coffee breaks. Similarly, SAP hosted a virtual learning studio that provided learning exercises in a gamified, Jeopardy-style format.

Create connection conduits.

Key in on cornerstone engagement tactics that work in both virtual and socially distanced experiences.

PREWORK: Kickstart engagement before kickstarting the event. Send a survey to participants with questions, ensuring that they already have buy-in prior to that opening session. What keeps you up at night? What one learning are you looking to take with you? What does success look like in your role? Share the results and tailor the content to address the feedback.

ICEBREAKERS: People still connect with people. So create space, such as breakout rooms, for community builders. For smaller, more familiar groups, choose an easy, organic approach by posting a trivia fact and prompting attendees to identify the corresponding person.

Image from Icebreaker, an online event platform to connect groups through activities.

For larger events, networking tools can add the needed pizazz, such as Icebreaker, an online event platform that connects groups through activities and games, or Brella, which can pair attendees one-on-one for mentorship and networking.

BREAKS: Don’t let your planned pre-session or break time become dead space. Offer live entertainment (magicians? favorite bands? comedians?) as an opener or midway through a session when attendees experience visual fatigue. Offer a fitness challenge during the breaks or host a virtual scavenger hunt. (Winner gets good swag!)

SWAG: Speaking of goodies … leverage opportunities to host giveaways, rewarding those that participate in challenges, complete surveys or simply register for sessions. (Check out a candy bag of fun ideas here.)

INTERACTIVE SURVEYS: Utilize live polls to get real-time feedback, direct where presenters spend more time or get a pulse on the knowledge level and needs of your audience.

PLAYLISTS: Tailored tunes speak to the heart. Create a playlist of themed songs around your event, and share prior (via email, text or social media event) or as part of the event kick off. Clairemont crafted a playlist to celebrate the 2020 Women in Business Week. (Hey, any jams you would add?)

PARTY IN A BOX: This one is my favorite. Set the atmosphere by sending your participants a box o’ goodies prior to the event, from branded swag to costumes and snacks.

Clairemont clients are cranking out coolness.

Check out these Clairemont clients putting these best practices to best use!

ZOOM THROUGH THE PAGES: Carrie Knowles, author of 40+ years and 2014 Piedmont Laureate, hosts virtual book clubs and writing workshops. With her sweet spot of 12-15 attendees, Carrie fashions an interactive format with storytelling, open dialogue and real-time exercises. For her book clubs, she helps create the ambience of the book by encouraging attendees to order food and beverages that fit the theme of the novel.

Photo courtesy of Will Cooper and the Chatham Rabbits.

TUNES ON TIRES: Wendell Falls, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, keeps its residents connected through a bevy of socially distanced themes and events. Last month, Wendell Falls replaced its hallmark outdoor concerts with a traveling band. The Chatham Rabbits set up its band on a trailer and road tripped through neighborhoods, regaling porch-side guests with its storytelling and songs.

VINO AND VERBIAGE:
Vita Vite, Raleigh’s acclaimed wine bar and art gallery, created a legacy of book clubs where friends gathered over a glass of wine to discuss their monthly read. VV owner Lindsay Rice concocted a special set up by welcoming her guests to BYOB (Bring Your Own Blankets) and join her on the spacious lawn outside her North Hills location. Groups could order a favorite wine/beer and cheese plate from the bar and “pod up” into self-made mini discussion groups on the lawn. Blanket + beverage + book = beloved good time.

Events are our specialty.

And we have an invitation for you.

  1. Borrow a few of our good ideas!
  2. Out of ideas? Email us to tap into our expertise!
Read More
Plan a Magical Event: Lessons from Disney

Plan a Magical Event: Lessons from Disney

August 16, 2019January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PRDisney, event marketing, event PR, fail, tips

Growing up in Orlando, I was raised in the shadow of the Magic Kingdom. Everywhere we went, there were signs of Disney’s influence. The company had a huge, white-gloved hand in all major city events, including the naming of our semi-beloved basketball team. Looking back, it seemed impossible to think there was a time that Disney wasn’t a cultural phenomenon or undisputed king of American theme parks.

But there was. Disney has made mistakes, including one of the most arguably terrible PR catastrophes. The 2019 summer marked the 64th anniversary of the opening of the original Disneyland in California – the day that became known internally as “Black Sunday.” You already know how this story ends, because … Disney. Instead, let’s take a look at some of the missteps Disney made that day and learn how you can avoid these faux pas to ensure success in your events.

Unfinished Ambiance

Believe it or not, this magical kingdom wasn’t fully prepared for its worldly debut. Even as the first guests poured into the park, crews of workers were still painting walls and finishing the gardens. The park was an active construction site as guests walked through the front gates.

Avoid being unprepared for party guests by building in ample time for your team to finalize preparations. Create a detailed run of show that includes pre-event prep time, a checklist with responsible parties and deliverables, a contingency plan for each item and a crisis plan for unexpected challenges. This list will help you circumvent those last-minute stressful situations.

Overcrowding

Opening day was supposed to only be for a select few friends and family – approximately 15,000 total. Disney welcomed almost double that number thanks to counterfeit tickets and lack of security detail along the perimeters.

Thankfully today, sites like Eventbright, Eventzilla and Evite exist to assist with invites and RSVPs to make it easy to organize and track attendees. For more private affairs, make sure to have a list of guests’ names at the door at the time of entry, and plan to have security stationed at any other possible entry points to avoid crashers.

Shortage of Supplies

The influx of guests brought with it another issue – a shortage of food and drinks. Even the public water fountains weren’t fully up-and-running, leaving guests wandering around both parched and hungry.

Keep an updated list of RSVPs and round up the number to anticipate a few extras. No one likes to come up empty when they go to get a drink – or bite. So skillfully stock your stations with food and beverages by calculating amounts needed using these tips. Not only will this keep your guests around, but it will also keep them happy!

As you know, in the end, Disney lived to tell the tale – and continues to do so. In fact, we can all share our Disney story, because despite the unfinished ambiance, overcrowding and shortage of supplies, Disney endured. If you haven’t arrived at your “happiest place on earth” yet, that’s ok. You might just be at your opening day. Take note of the challenges that arise and properly address them for a permanent fix. Then, continue on your mission to create magic for your clients – and others!

Want to read about a successful opening? Check out the celebration the Clairemont team planned and executed for our client, Vita Vite, when it opened its North Hills location.

Will Hornbeck is a rising senior at Wake Forest University. He thinks the best ride at Disney is the Carousel of Progress.

Read More
Raleigh Legend Debuts Play

Raleigh Legend Debuts Play

May 9, 2019January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Clairemont Client News, In Our CommunityBurning Coal Theatre, Carrie Knowles, event marketing, event PR, Raleigh Theatre, Women's Theatre Festival

Curtain up, spotlight on and enter stage right … a legend in the Triangle arts scene.

2014 Piedmont Laureate Carrie Knowles has no small resume when it comes to literature and the arts. Carrie founded the Boylan Heights ArtWalk, directed the Cross Currents Chamber Music and Arts Festival and provided board leadership for the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild, Burning Coal Theater and the United Arts Council. Let’s not forget her 45-year literary career, during which Carrie penned dozens of stories, published five novels and earned more than 25 awards.

A Stage for Change: SIX

Carrie is nowhere near stopping. For her 70th birthday, Carrie is releasing “Black Tie Optional: 17 Stories.” But this is no ordinary book release.

SIX: A Play in One Act

Carrie transformed SIX, one of the short stories from “Black Tie Optional,” into a one-act play. She is partnering with Burning Coal Theater and Women’s Theater Festival to debut SIX as a special staged reading. SIX follows the story of a young women seeking meaning and redemption after dark experiences — an evocative tale that inspires us to live life without regrets.

The premiere of SIX will serve as a fundraiser for Women’s Theater Festival, providing critical scholarships for 10 young actors/writers/directors to develop their talents and craft new work at the 2019 Women’s Theatre Festival.

Date: Sunday, May 26, 2019, 3 p.m.
Location: Burning Coal Theatre, 224 Polk Street Raleigh
RSVP: Here!

https://www.facebook.com/CarrieJKnowles/videos/332956537257430/

A Place for a Party

And what’s a show without a little afterparty? Carrie also invites guests to join her and the cast in the lobby afterward for cake and bubbly to celebrate her 70th birthday!

The event is free with a suggested $5 donation to benefit the Women’s Theatre Festival Scholarship Fun. “Black Tie Optional: 17 Stories” will be available for purchase (and autograph!) with 40 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Women’s Theatre Festival.

Join us to enjoy a show, cake and bubbly! Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!

RSVP for SIX!
Read More
“Man-i-fy” Brunch for Father’s Day

“Man-i-fy” Brunch for Father’s Day

June 13, 2017January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Clairemont Client News, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PRevent marketing, food events, food pr, raleigh restaurant PR, restaurant events, restaurant marketing, Restaurant PR

Dads are getting short-changed. Mother’s Day brunch is a no-brainer, but what about brunch for guys? 

Client Pizza La Stella is “man-i-fying brunch” for Father’s Day — featuring all the foods guys love. You’ve heard of “breakfast for dinner?” Pizza La Stella —  a Neapolitan-style restaurant in downtown Raleigh —  is serving “dinner for breakfast” and pizza for brunch. 

Ready to man up to the menu? Try…

“The Chicken and Waffles ‘Za” Pizza

Spike your pizza! This Italian take on the traditional southern dish (chicken and waffles) piles eggs, pancuitto and apple-wood chicken on a cinnamon and sugar dough — spiked with black pepper maple syrup.

Chicken Wings

Pizza La Stella transforms this typical tailgating treat into a brunch classic with proprietary flavors like Maple Black Pepper and Honey Habanero.

Edible Drinks and Drinkable Eats

Try drinks you eat (a skillet called Bloody Mary’s Revenge) and eats you drink (like a cocktail made with French Toast cereal). 

Courtesy of Dylan Wade Film

The menu — big, bold and bodaciously brunchy — is now available every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate on Father’s Day and every weekend after that!

We love creative ways to celebrate traditional holidays with our clients. Check out some of the other “sweet” food events!

Read More

Posts navigation

Older posts

Categories

  • APR
  • Awards
  • Blog
  • Case Studies
  • Clairemont Client News
  • Copy Cat
  • Counselors Academy
  • Entry-Level PR Job
  • Fashion
  • Free Advice
  • Furniture PR
  • Hiring a PR Firm
  • In Our Community
  • Inspirational
  • Internal Communications
  • Marketing
  • Oh Momma Monday
  • On the Record
  • Our Work
  • Owning a Business
  • Photo of the Week
  • PR People
  • Professional Development
  • Public Relations
  • Raleigh PR Agency
  • Real Estate PR
  • Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR
  • Social Media + Influencer Engagement
  • Starting a business
  • Sustainability
  • The Clairemont Team
  • Travel
  • Trends
  • Wonderfully Random

clairemontcommunications

Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media platform? It’s called Threads, and it’s being referred to as “the new Twitter.” Read everything you need to know about Threads in our latest blog post - link in bio!
SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc (client) today, and rumor has it that @blah2voila has already been hamming it up with Dell! We know you want a selfie with Dell to post on Pigstagram, too!
We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of P We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of Public Relations Consultants Group, allowing us to offer clients expertise and support across the country! Clairemont founder, Dana Phelps aka @blah2voila, recently attended the PRCG conference in Oklahoma City.
2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Comm 2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Communications! Visit our blog for the full 2022 year in review!
As communications professionals, we wear a variety As communications professionals, we wear a variety of hats to meet our clients’ needs.
 
We’re writers, social media managers, photographers, marketers, editors, content creators- the list goes on and on.
 
Check out our recent blog post to learn what @olivia.noles , account coordinator here at Clairemont, does on a weekly and monthly basis.
#communicationsagency #communicationsmajor #pragencylife #pragency #raleighpr
This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voi This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voila , will be speaking at the 2022 @nc_prsa Strategic Communication & MarCom Conference! Phelps is a repeat presenter at this annual conference, and this year she is leading a session called Growing from Communication Technician to Strategic Counselor during which she will share three of her coined concepts: knowcasting, morecasting and collabolighthing. Visit our blog for the link to register for the conference!
@clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative g @clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative go together like the bacon and eggs! And speaking of bacon and eggs, have you been to @therainbowluncheonette yet? YUM!
Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc, a master-planned community just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, will welcome @parksideraleigh, a Raleigh-favorite restaurant known for its fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, to the community!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Parkside.
“What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we “What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we get this question often, we have a series on our blog where we dive into our recent projects to give you a look at what a PR Agency really does.
 
For example, a statewide resource for small businesses recently hired Clairemont to devise an executive visibility campaign to help position the organization and its director as the leading small business resource in North Carolina.
 
Head to our blog to read what exactly an executive visibility campaign entails and to learn more about our services!
So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let us tell you about our new favorite @drink321coffee ! If you are in Raleigh, go see Paul, the other Paul, Emma  or whichever smiling faces are working today. We LOVE this place and the coffee! ❤️❤️❤️
Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest mas Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, closed on its first age-eligible rental community plan, Arden at Wendell Falls, that will offer 140 open-concept units and exclusive onsite amenities!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Arden at Wendell Falls.
Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by client @vitaviteraleigh for good snacks and great wine!🍷 Both locations are open normal hours Friday-Sunday and closed on Monday.
You never know who might be hanging out at The Cla You never know who might be hanging out at The Clairemont House. Thanks to @yellowdogcreative for helping save this buddy. Notice that we speak lizard. Or skink. Or gecko or whatever he is. Or maybe it’s the extra caffeine before our client presentation.
Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh
Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting?
Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street South @raleighwineshop ! @blah2voila was there today representing Clairemont at the grand opening festivities and enjoying the @grandchamphospitality sandwich pop up. Yum! 🍷🥪
It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers ar It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are needed more than ever! Many organizations with scarce resources rely on volunteers and would not exist without them. Visit our recent blog post to read about the organizations Clairemont has supported and how you can make a difference in your community!
Authenticity is trending, and research shows that Authenticity is trending, and research shows that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic. Read our recent blog post to learn about UGC, how it can benefit your brand and how to use it in your marketing strategy.
From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 has left an impact on every sector of life, including marketing. Read our blog on marketing in a post-COVID world to learn how things have changed and how that should impact your business strategy.
We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned eight awards, five gold🥇and three silver🥈, at this year's Sir Walter Raleigh Awards hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society!🎉 We are beyond grateful to work with so many amazing partners, clients and industry friends!
Follow on Instagram
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: realy-store by inverstheme.
Cleantalk Pixel